New Housemaster announced to head Te Pūtake Lodge

Tuesday 11 April 2017

King’s College is delighted to announce today the appointment of Mr Paul Watts to the role of Housemaster of Te Pūtake Lodge, the College’s dedicated Boarding House for Year 9 students.

Mr Watts is one of College’s longest serving Housemasters having managed Greenbank House since its foundation 21 years ago. He will take up his new appointment at the start of Term 3.

Te Pūtake Lodge was launched in 2016 as a specialised boarding lodge for Year 9 boys to assist their transitioning within the College boarding structure. This initiative has been extremely well-received by the wider community for its nurturing and support of our young men as they begin their student life at King’s.

Mr Watts has been teaching at the College since 1978 and is a much respected and experienced Housemaster. He is well-known amongst our parent, staff and student community for his dedicated and caring approach and strong communication skills.

“On behalf of the College, I congratulate Mr Watts on his appointment and we look forward to welcoming Paul and his wife Linda as they take up residence at the Lodge in the coming months,” says Headmaster Simon Lamb.

Mr Watts acknowledges he is looking forward to this next step in his journey with the College.

“The role of Greenbank Housemaster was one I cherished for many years and it has given me the opportunity to work with some fantastic staff and mentor some very talented students,” says Mr Watts.

Paul Watts.

“I am, however, looking forward to working with our young Year 9 students and helping them transition smoothly into life at King’s.”

From early June until the end of Term 2, Grant McKibbin will serve as acting Te Pūtake Lodge Housemaster once inaugural Te Pūtake Lodge Housemaster Daniel Mitchell takes up his new leadership role as Assistant Principal - Head of Student Wellbeing at Saint Kentigern College. Grant is a currently a Boarding House Tutor in the Lodge and a former Housemaster at the College.

The recruitment process to identify a new Greenbank Housemaster has begun and the College is focused on ensuring the new candidate will be the right fit for the House and its students.

“We are confident that we will secure an experienced and suitably matched candidate who will transition seamlessly to the management of Greenbank House and continue the success of this high performing day House,” says Mr Lamb.

About Te Pūtake Lodge

Te Pūtake Lodge found its name through a Māori proverb: Ki te kore ngā pūtake e mākūkūngia, e kore te rākau e tupu - If the roots of a tree are not watered, the tree will never grow. The recognition that fundamentally 13 year olds are different to 18 year olds led to the College’s introducing this special tailor-made boarding initiative for young adolescents.

In 2017, Te Pūtake Lodge is home to 53 Year 9 boys, who come from all over New Zealand and overseas.